AFCON 2025: Senegal vs Botswana Preview

The Lions ready to roar. This Tuesday, it is a whole troop of hungry Lions who will enter the Ibn Batouta stadium in Tangier facing the Zebras from Botswana. Because, beyond starting hostilities in group D, this game will serve as a barometer for the champions of Africa 2021, who want to erase their elimination in the last 16’s at the 2023 edition.

Senegal must shine, but be careful
For its 18th participation in the competition, Senegal is looking for a 2nd star after the one won on February 6, 2022, in Cameroon. And the first step in this reconquest begins with this 1st day against Botswana. Above all, Pape Thiaw’s men arrive with a resplendent form. Since his arrival in place of Aliou Cissé, the technician has scored 11 wins, 2 draws and a single defeat in 14 matches. Only Brazil was able to beat the Senegalese.

In addition, Senegal is a magnificent runner at the AFCON since the Senegalese remain on 11 matches in succession without losing in the tournament, except for the penalty shootout, with 7 wins and 4 draws. The last defeat in regulation time goes back to the 2019 final against Algeria.

Botswana hoping to make an impact
Botswana is contesting the 2nd African Cup in its history, after 2012 (elimination in the 1st round). The Botswanans, supported by this achievement, arrive in Morocco full of enthusiasm, but also strong from their achievement during the qualifications since they eliminated Cape Verde, although qualified for the 2026 World Cup.

A fact far from being trivial for the Zebras, who have nothing to lose in this tournament and are rather looking for their first success. And what could be better than a victory against Senegal, one of the tournament’s big favourites? Thabang Sesinyi and his family believe in it.

The keys to the match
For this meeting, the Lions leave with the favors of the prognoses. Pape Thiaw has an XXL group at all levels. Moreover, the Senegalese technician could bet on his 4-2-3-1 that he aligns against the weaker teams, in order to gain control over the ball and deploy his game at his ease. In this system, Sadio Mané and Iliman Ndiaye often take turns for the position behind the striker, and Ismaïla Sarr also switches a lot on the sides. It remains to be seen if Thiaw will use this weapon, or if he will start with his other system, the 4-3-3, usually aligned during chopping matches.

On the Botswana side, the Zebras are betting on a compact block and counters capable of hitting the mark. Botswanans like to defend and know that they can count on a sometimes unsinkable goalkeeper. Indeed, Goitseone Phoko made 24 saves during the qualification phase of the competition. Only the Cape Verdean Bruno Varela (25) did better.

The Opta stats  corner 

5: Senegal remains on 5 wins in a row during its opening matches of the AFCON. This was the case against Ghana in 2015, Tunisia in 2017, Tanzania in 2019, Zimbabwe in 2022 and Gambia in 2024.

-3: With a goal difference of -3 in the AFCON 2025 qualifiers, Botswana is the team that has the lowest goal-average among all qualified teams.

The danger: Sadio Mané. Since 2017, he is both the co-best scorer (nine goals, tied with Vincent Aboubakar) and the best passer (six assists) in the competition. During this period, the Senegal striker also hit 115 balls in the opposing area (5.5 per 90 minutes) and dribbled 59 times (2.8 per 90 minutes), more than any other player.

Attack and defense: In the last four editions of the Africa Cup of Nations, Senegal scored more goals (32) and achieved more clean sheets (15 in 22 matches) than any other team.

History: This will be the first ever Africa Cup of Nations match between Senegal and Botswana. Their only previous matches date back to the qualifiers for 2014, where Senegal won both matches (2-0 in Botswana, 3-0 in Senegal).